ST: Jamie Cox Wins Flamboro Speedway Enduro 250

By Randy Spencer – A beautiful but hot and humid day would greet 47 Enduro drivers eagerly trying to win the $6000 first prize in the first of two Enduro races at Bennett Chevrolet Flamboro Speedway in 2015.

The drivers registered and the meeting was held to explain the rules in the middle of the track prior to green flag. The lineup was filled with lots of current racers from tracks around the province. Many current and former track or class champions. Last year’s Enduro,  125 lap event was won by 2010 Ohsweken Thunder Stock champion Jamie Cox. This year he was back and ready to defend his championship. One difference, the lap count was doubled. This time a grueling 250 laps would be run and the very hot weather would be an obstacle for all involved.

Brian Watson was on the pole and was off with the wave of the green flag. The first red came on lap 9, as the 64 of Michael Benenvenga hit the wall out of four and slowed to a stop just past the start finish line. Looking at it I could see disaster as the car sat in the driving lane. Several cars avoided it but the 51 of Derek Moesker wasn’t so lucky and piled into the back bringing out the red as the cars were removed. Wayde Thorne and Watson battled and exchanged the lead early on. Mini Stock regular Rodney Rutherford would take over the lead and stretched it to a big half track lead in a short time.

As the raced approached the one third mark at lap 80, Jamie Cox had moved up and was close to Rutherford. That’s the way it stayed for sometime until another red on lap 104, this time for an off track problem. The timer clock froze and it had to be repaired. Track owner John Casale and Tech guy Glen Hils delivered water to the drivers. Announcer Gary Colling also handed out water as he went around talking to the drivers. The problem with the clock was finally fixed and the race was on again.

With about a hundred laps left, Cox was once again on Rutherford’s tail. On lap 133, Cox finally made his move and as the cars came out of four, Cox took the lead. But Rutherford wasn’t giving up. Cox had built a lead but Rutherford closed the gap. Lapped traffic played a role and by lap 180, Cox had once again built a half track lead. With about 25 laps to go, Cox looked as though he would catch Rutherford and put him lap down but it didn’t quite happen. As the checkered flag flew, Jamie Cox was back to back winner of the Flamboro Speedway Enduro. Mark Thorne is the #95 Lightning McQueen Love Bug won best appearing car.

Congratulations to the top 24 that placed in the money. Don’t forget the final race event of 2015 is the Flamboro Enduro 200 with an $8000 purse, $4000 to win plus Demo Derby. That takes place October 25th. Big thanks to everyone in attendance and to our announcers Clinton Geoffrey, Gary Colling and Adam Ross.

Photos by Derek Smith of racepulse.com

Unofficial Results

44 Jamie Cox
38 Rodney Rutherford
141 Steve Lovie
417 Mike Olliveria
10 Josh Shantz
95 Mark Thorne
25 Brian Wilson
81 Karl Sault
8 Adam Nigh
32 Gillian Hils
85-1/2 Norma Giordano
317 Shone Evans
53x Chris Rivers
27 Nick Sarantakos
001 Travis Farrow
1 Tyler Martin
85 Rob Campbell
115 Risi George
21x Mark Bazuin
24 Brad Webb
08 Derek Martin
88 Blair Mayhew
84 Andrea Parsons
43 Brian Watson
66 Benjamin Hage
0 Glenn Styres
91 Brandon Chrysler
86 Nick Clarke
31 Kevin Gallant
53 Mike Larkin
42 Joe Deboer
6 Wayde Thorne
88 Brian O’Hearne
77 Michael Kenny
64 Michael Benevenga
85-1/4 Dan Campbell
97 Max Chechalk
85-1/3 Danny Campbell
2 Travis Hofstetter
98 Sid Bracci
71 Jordan Gallant
51 Derek Moesker
15 Matt Larkin